By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission
A red severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the lower North Island with strong wind warnings and watches also affecting parts of the country.
Storm clouds roll into Wellington on 12 August, 2024. Photo: Supplied / James Bass
MetService’s weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Martinborough, the Aorangi Mountains and Ruakokoputuna at 3.30pm.
They were forecast to move northeast towards Masterton, Tayweru, Gladstone, the hill country east of Martinborough, Bideford, Carswell, Wainuioru, Westmere and Longbush at 4pm, before heading to Pongaroa, Tinui, Tiraumea, Waihoki, Castlehill and Blairlogie at 4.30pm.
Severe thunderstorms were also expected to hit offshore Castlepoint and Mataikona at 4.45pm.
“Due to the fast moving nature of this line and the embedded storms, there is a risk of severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts of around 130km/h. Wind gusts of this strength can cause some structural damage, including trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous,” MetService said.
A severe thunderstorm watch remained in place for Tararya, Wairarapa, Wellington, Marlborough, Canterbury Plains, the Canterbury High Country and Hawke’s Bay.
MetService has also issued a strong wind warning for coastal Wairarapa north of Flat Point, with a strong wind watch for coastal parts of the Hawke’s Bay and the Tararua District.
Fire and Emergency said it has received about a dozen calls for damage caused by strong winds in Wellington and Wairarapa.
The calls were mainly coming in from Lower Hutt, with reports of trees and powerlines down, a spokesperson said.
According to Wellington Electricity, there were 90 customers without power in Horokiwi, expected to be restored by 7pm on Monday, with another 32 customers in Waitangirua, expected to have their power back on by 8pm.
Earlier warnings and watches for Wairarapa, Wellington, Marlborough, and the Hawke’s Bay have now been cancelled.
In a statement, MetService said the changing winds would bring fluctuating temperatures this week.
Meteorologist Clare O’Connor said: “A ‘southerly buster’ is a particularly strong cold front, characterised by blustery wind changes and a large drop in temperatures. A drop of 10C in a matter of minutes and winds suddenly gusting 90km/h is not unusual with the passage of these fronts.”
There was also a risk of thunderstorms and hail for eastern areas on Monday afternoon and into the evening.
The windy weather was expected to create heavy swell, up to six metres, off the east coast of the North Island and the Chatham Islands, MetService said.
“Elsewhere it will be the beginning of the calm after the storm as high pressure builds over the country. Wednesday wakes to a cold morning, especially about the central North Island where forecast minimum temperatures are sub-zero, below the average for this time of year.
“The cold snap is short lived with above average temperatures expected from Wednesday afternoon as milder westerly winds develop about the lower half of the South Island, then spread northwards over Thursday. Another swing to the lower end of the temperature scale, and a burst of heavy rain could be seen over the weekend.”
